page_title: Matakana
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Matakana / History
caption_attribution_description: English: Matakana War Memorial by William Henry Feldon, December 1919.
context_page_description: Matakana is a small town in the Rodney Ward of Auckland Council of New Zealand. Warkworth lies about 9 km to the south-west, Snells Beach the same distance to the south, Omaha is about 7 km to the east, and Leigh about 13 km to the north-east. The Matakana River flows through the town and into Kawau Bay to the south-east.
  The surrounding area contains several vineyards and breweries, developing a name for pinot gris, merlot, syrah and a host of obscure varietals. Offering 'a slice of rural community life', the area offers craft outlets, markets, boutique stores, and country cafes. The reasonable proximity to Auckland has led to the region becoming a trendy getaway spot for foodie Aucklanders.
  Lonely Planet describes the village:
  "Around 15 years ago, Matakana was a nondescript rural village with a handful of heritage buildings and an old-fashioned country pub. Now the locals watch bemused as Auckland’s chattering classes idle away the hours in stylish wine bars and cafes."
  From 2018, it is served by 7 buses a day between Warkworth and Omaha. From 2013 it had 5 buses a day and is also served by Mahu City Express.
context_section_description: Māori inhabitants of the area were from Ngāti Raupo, a hapu of Te Kawerau, Ngāti Manuhiri) and Ngāti Rongo. Crown purchases started in 1841 with the Mahurangi Purchase, described by the Waitangi Tribunal as, "a crazy quilt of multiple and overlapping transactions". Loggers then moved in to fell the kauri and other timber. George Darroch had a large shipyard building timber ships by 1852, which continued for over 50 years. By 1853 John Heyd'n's sawmill was at the falls on the Matakana river. Flax was also harvested. Matakana's first public building, the Presbyterian School and church, opened in 1864. By 1881,  Matakana had about 150 people and most of the bush had been cut. Agriculture replaced it, especially fruit. Matakana Dairy Factory opened in December 1902; the building is now a shop. A shark oil factory opened in 1905 and continued till at least 1921 and the industry longer. Electricity came to Matakana in 1936.
caption: The Matakana War Memorial commemorates New Zealand servicemen from the Matakana area who died while serving during the First and Second World Wars.
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